Senator Olekina calls on PSC to safeguard workers who served MP Ng''eno

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has appealed to the Parliamentary Service Commission to consider protecting the jobs of staff who served the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno, saying many could lose their livelihoods following the legislator’s sudden death. The senator asked the commission to explore ways of ensuring the employees continue receiving pay for the remaining period of their five year contracts.

Olekina made the appeal on Friday while addressing mourners during the funeral service held at Emurua Dikirr Primary School. The ceremony brought together leaders, residents, and family members who gathered to honour the late lawmaker.

During his remarks, the senator described Ng’eno as a fearless leader who remained firm in standing up for the people he represented.

“If hell had a door, I would walk right back and get you, Johanna, because your fire was never meant to go out this soon,” he said, adding that the late MP had “burned too fiercely, too bright, for your people, for your land, for justice itself.”

Olekina said the late MP inspired many people to defend the rights of their communities without fear. He told mourners that Ng’eno had left behind a powerful example of courage and commitment to public service.

“Today, Johanna, we stand broken, but not defeated, because you didn’t teach us how to surrender. You taught us how to fight,” he said.

The senator praised the late legislator for his strong voice on matters affecting the people of the region, including environmental protection and land issues.

According to Olekina, Ng’eno consistently raised concerns about matters that touched the lives of residents in Narok County and surrounding areas. He pointed out that the MP often spoke about issues related to the Mau Forest and other challenges affecting communities in the county.

While addressing mourners, the senator also raised concerns about the situation faced by employees who work for Members of Parliament when a legislator dies while still in office.

He said many staff members are employed under contracts that are meant to run for the full parliamentary term but end up losing their jobs suddenly after such tragedies.

“Mister Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission, please remember the staff… find a way,” Olekina appealed. “If there is a way in the PSC, you can pay them for the entire five-year contract. Because when you gave them that contract… they were assured of service for five years.”

The senator criticized what he described as a system that provides strong benefits for elected leaders but leaves employees without protection when unexpected events occur.

“The problem we have is that we care so much about ourselves. We line our pockets, we protect ourselves with good benefits in Parliament. But the moment one of us is uprooted out of this earth by God, every employee of a senator or a Member of Parliament is left jobless,” he said.

He urged the Parliamentary Service Commission to review the issue and come up with a fair approach that supports workers who suddenly lose employment after the death of a legislator.

Olekina also called on national leaders to honour promises made to the residents of Emurua Dikirr and continue pushing development projects that the late MP had been advocating for.

He mentioned poor road infrastructure among the issues that still need attention, urging leaders to work together to improve services for the community.

“We will miss him,” he concluded, asking both leaders and residents to keep pushing for the welfare and rights of the people.

Johanna Ng’eno, who served as the Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament, died on the evening of Saturday March 3, 2026 when a helicopter carrying him and several aides crashed in Chepkiep area in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County.

Reports indicate that the aircraft attempted an emergency landing before it caught fire, leading to the deaths of all six people on board.

Those who died alongside the MP were the pilot of the helicopter Captain George Were, Nick Kosgei, a journalist and photographer who worked as the MP’s cameraman; Carlos K. Keter, an aide to the MP; Amos Kipngetich Rotich, a Kenya Forest Service ranger who also served as an aide; and SportPesa Ronoh, a protocol official and aide linked to the Narok County Government.

Their deaths shocked the region and prompted an outpouring of grief from leaders and residents who described the late MP as a vocal representative who strongly defended the interests of his people.